Kevin O'Connell held the fide delegate position for more than 30 years with the exception of this season. He tells me that he spent c1200e (allowing for inflation) of his own money in this position each year.

For personal reasons he was not available to continue in the position for 2010-2011.

With that history I applied for the position and obviously had some learning to do!

The position was listed as 'fide delegate' but during the season it became apparent that 'ecu delegate' was part of the package, and which I agreed to take on.

One of the functions of the ICU is to provide the link between Irish chess and fide. Despite that, there was no budget for same, and two opportunities provided themselves for clarification on the matter during the year.

One was an EGM of the ECU where the ICU decided NOT to fund anyone to attend.

The second was an ICU meeting in June where I proposed that a budget figure be approved for attendance at some fide meetings by the fide delegate. The motion failed.

So now we have a contradictory situation...The ICU claims to represent Ireland at fide, but won't fund anyone to attend. This anomaly needs to be resolved.

TITLED PLAYERS

During the season four players achieved titles... Alex Lopez achieved IM, Daire McMahon achieved FM, Ryan Rhys-Griffits achieved FM, and Sarah-Jane Hearne achieved WCM.

Kevin O'Connell played a major part in helping the processing.

ICU MEETINGS

There were c6 ICU meetings held over the season. The first was held in September at Portlaoise. After this, several meetings were held on Skype. This was a major problem for me as my new computer wouldn't run Skype.

The matter was eventually referred to the Arbitration Officer for an opinion, and he advised that for every Skype meeting there should be at least one 'Physical meeting'.

Two 'Physical meetings' followed in May and June, the May one coinciding with my Limerick monthly which had been advertised for seven months. Travelling expenses were also withdrawn and this is a problem for those outside Dublin. For instance, travelling from/to Limerick takes 7 hours and costs 50+ euros, while those in Dublin spend little money and little time travelling.

So I have been disenfranchised for at least 4 meetings during the year.